How Figure Skating Competitions Are Structured

Figure Skating Competition Format: From Short Program to Medal Ceremony

Olympic figure skating is structured as a multi-day event in each discipline, with qualifying rounds, short programs (or rhythm dances), free skates (or free dances), and the team event woven together. The International Skating Union (ISU) dictates the format.

Individual Events Structure

Singles (Men’s and Women’s):

1. Short Program: a 2:40 program with seven required elements (for men: one Axel jump, one combination, one solo jump, three spins, one step sequence). All elements must be performed; missing a required element means zero credit for it.
2. Free Skate: a 4:00 program with up to seven jump passes (men) or seven jump passes (women), multiple spins, and step sequences. Greater creative freedom.
3. Final standing: short program score + free skate score.

Pairs:

Same structure (short program + free skate), with pair-specific elements: throws, twist lifts, side-by-side jumps, death spirals, pair spins, and lifts.

Ice Dance:

1. Rhythm Dance: 2:50, with a mandated theme and tempo (changes each season — e.g., street dance, tango). Features required patterns, dance spins, and step sequences.
2. Free Dance: 4:00, with greater creative latitude. Lifts, twizzles, step sequences, and choreographic elements.
3. Final standing: rhythm dance score + free dance score.

Skating Order

In the short program, skating order for the first group is drawn randomly. For the free skate, athletes are divided into groups based on short program results — the top 6 skate in the final group. Within each group, the order is drawn randomly. This ensures the top contenders skate last, building suspense.

The Team Event

Introduced at Sochi 2014, the team event features nations fielding entries across all four disciplines:

1. Short program / rhythm dance round: each nation sends one entry per discipline (men, women, pairs, ice dance). Points are awarded based on placement (1st = 10 points, 2nd = 9, etc.).
2. Free skate / free dance round: same structure. Cumulative team points determine the winner.

The team event precedes the individual events on the schedule, meaning athletes must manage the physical and emotional toll of competing twice. At Beijing 2022, the team event was overshadowed by doping controversy involving the Russian team, ultimately resulting in delayed medal ceremonies.

Qualification and Entries

Each country can enter a maximum of:

• 3 skaters/teams per discipline — if the country earned enough quota spots through the previous year’s World Championships.
• 1 entry minimum is common for smaller skating nations.

The host nation does not receive automatic skating entries (unlike some other sports). Quota spots are earned through competitive results.

Warm-Up Groups

Before each group of skaters performs, there is a 6-minute warm-up on the competition ice. Skaters practice jumps, spins, and program elements. The warm-up is not scored but is strategically important — it’s the last chance to feel the ice and adjust.

Collisions during warm-ups are rare but can occur, particularly when multiple skaters attempt jumps simultaneously. ISU protocols require skaters to follow a counterclockwise pattern and yield to those performing elements.

Music and Costume Rules

Music: vocals were banned in singles and pairs until the 2014–15 season. Now vocals are permitted, expanding the range of musical choices.

Costumes: must be “modest, dignified, and appropriate for athletic competition” per ISU rules. Costumes cannot include props (detachable pieces). Excessive decoration that falls on the ice incurs a -1 deduction.

Judging Anonymity

Judges’ marks are published with their names after each segment. This transparency was introduced to enhance accountability — a change from the earlier IJS implementation where marks were anonymous. The nine-judge panel’s highest and lowest marks are trimmed before averaging.